HP Printer Unknown USB Flash Drive Error [How to Fix]

In this quick guide, we will show you how to fix the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error.

Solutions to the HP Printer Unknown USB Flash Drive Error

Do the following solutions if you’re experiencing an HP printer unknown USB flash drive error:

1. Restart Your Computer

Your computer may be having an error and that is why the flash drive is not being recognized. So, simply click on your Start Menu and click on “Shut down”. Wait for about 2 minutes and turn the system back on.

If the USB is now recognized, then the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error has been resolved. If it isn’t, continue troubleshooting.

2. Plug the Flash Drive into another Port

The problem may be due to a faulty port. Therefore, unplug the USB device from the port it is connected to and plug it into another port.

If the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error is resolved, then the USB port is faulty. You can either choose to have the faulty port fixed or you can simply keep using other ports.

In this article: HP Printer Errors and Solutions [Detailed], we discuss other HP printer errors and provide solutions to them.

3. Connect the USB Device to another Computer

Your device may be faulty and could be causing the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error. This can be confirmed by trying the device on another PC. If you still get the error on another computer, then your USB device is faulty and may have physical damage and can’t be used anymore.

If this is the case, you need a new USB flash drive. Check out this 1TB USB flash drive below:

4. Connect another USB Device to the Computer

If the USB reflects in another system, then your PC may be the cause of the issue. To confirm this, plug another USB device into the computer. If you get the error message when you do, then your printer is the cause of the issue.

In this case, you can do the subsequent solutions to solve the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error.

5. Update Windows

How to Update Windows

Do the following to update Windows to fix the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error:

Step 1: Click on the Start button.

Step 2: Now click on the Settings icon.

Step 3: Select “Updates and Security” from the options.

Step 4: Now click on “Windows Update”.

Step 5: Finally, select “Check for Updates”.

If there is an update, your system will ask for the right to install it. When you agree, the update will be installed automatically.

6. Update Drivers

How to Update Windows Driver

Do these steps to update your PC drivers to fix the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error:

Step 1: Simultaneously push the R and Windows keys.

Step 2: When the “Run” dialogue box comes up, type in “devmgmt.msc” and then, click on “OK”. This will open the device manager.

Step 3: Search the list for “Universal Serial Bus Controller”. It is often the last on the list. Expand it by clicking the plus sign beside it.

Step 4: Search the list for your USB device. An exclamation mark may be beside it.

Step 5: Now, choose “Update driver software”, then select “Browse my computer for driver software”, also select “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”.

Step 6: Select “Generic USB Hub” and then click on “Next”.

The update will start automatically and you would get a prompt once it is complete. Check to see if the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error has been resolved. If it has, you don’t have to keep troubleshooting. But if it hasn’t, do the next solution.

Read this article: HP Printer Flashing [Issues & Solutions] to learn how to fix any other HP printer flashing issue you might encounter.

7. Adjust the Root Hub Settings

How to Adjust Root Hub Settings

Follow these steps to adjust your root hub settings to fix the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error:

Step 1: Simultaneously push the R and Windows keys.

Step 2: When the “Run” dialogue box comes up, type in “devmgmt.msc” and then, click on “OK”. This will open the device manager.

Step 3: Search the list for “Universal Serial Bus Controller”. It is often at the last on the list. Expand it by clicking the plus sign beside it.

Step 4: Search for and select “USB Root Hub” by right-clicking it.

Step 5: Choose “Properties”. This would open another window.

Step 6: From the new window, click on the tab “Power Management”.

Step 7: Look for “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”. If it is checked, then click on it to uncheck it.

Step 8: Save the changes by clicking “OK”. Repeat the steps for every Root Hub.

Note: You may have to restart the PC for the changes to become effective.

8. Turn off Fast Startup

How to Turn off Fast Startup on Windows

Do these steps to switch off fast startup on your Windows PC to fix the HP printer unknown USB flash drive error:

Step 1: Run “Control Panel”. You can either ask Cortana to run it or search for it in your Start Menu.

Step 2: Search for and select “Hardware and Sound”.

Step 3: Choose “Power Options”.

Step 4: Check for “Choose what the power button does”.

Step 5: Now, click on “Change settings that are currently available”.

Step 6: Look for “Turn on fast startup”. If it is checked, then click on it to uncheck and switch it off.

Step 7: To save the changes, click on “Save” and then close the window.

Check to see if the problem has been fixed. If it hasn’t, then contact HP Customer Support for further assistance.

How to Prevent HP Printer USB Flash Drive Error

Before you remove any USB device, ensure you “Eject” it to prevent the reoccurrence of this problem

How to Eject a USB Device

Do the following to eject your USB device before removing it:

Step 1: Right-click the USB sign you’d find in your icon tray.

Step 2: Select “Eject”. This would tell your system that you no longer want to be connected to the device.

Step 3: Wait until you get a prompt telling you that you can now safely remove the USB device. When you do, then you can take out the device.

Note: If you don’t get the prompt telling you that the device can now be safely removed, do not remove it. Instead, close your folders, windows, and programs as they may still be using the device. Afterward, try ejecting it again. If it works, good, if it doesn’t then you may need to restart the computer.

Ensure the USB device is still in the device when you restart it. Try ejecting the device again after the system comes back on.